[PVT: parent vision trip. A trip for parents to join their world race kids out on the field for a week of ministry]
In May, I let my parents know that, if they were able, I would love for them to join me for PVT. I knew the decision would be up in the air depending on how my grandpa’s health was. Walking in faith, they decided to go for it and signed up to join me in Romania in August.
Fast forward to August.
Just weeks before they were scheduled to join me in Romania, my grandpa was put on hospice. Not wanting my mom to be apart from her father during this time, I understood if they decide not to come.
BUT my 95 year old grandpa had other plans.
He told my mom that she had his blessing to go see me in Romania [insert tears of gratefulness]. Knowing that she had her father’s blessing, my mom felt a peace about following through with the trip, hoping that he would still be there when she returned.
We had an incredible week doing ministry together alongside other racers and their parents. Singing, serving, evangelizing, praying, eating, and filling up on fantastic fellowship, during those five days.
During our last night together in Romania, we got a call from my sister that none of us had expected. My grandpa had passed away just hours before. Shock and sadness settled in as my parents and I tried to wrap our minds around what had happened. More calls home to family were made that night. When all of the phone calls had been made, our minds still trying to make sense of this new reality, we heard the sound of singing floating in through our hostel window. The songs were worship songs sung in english to the sound of the guitar. My parents and I looked down out the window and saw a two people standing on the street corner wearing green “Jesus Loves Romania” t-shirts, worshiping Jesus to anyone passing by. My mom started singing along and soon knew she needed to go down and join them. When we got down to the street corner, my mom told them that her father had just passed away but their singing brought her comfort in her time of need.
This brother and sister from Northern Ireland had no idea that when they went out on the streets with their missions group to tell the people in Bucharest, Romania about Jesus, that their music would touch the lives of believers as well. We spent the next 20 minutes with them singing songs about heaven and praising a God who knows the number of our days.
I am so thankful that our friends, Matty and Jessica, from Northern Ireland, walked in obedience that night. Braving the potential rain and thunderstorms, braving the weird stares and off hand comments, in order to bring hope, through music, to people who need it. You never know when God might use you as a vessel of hope and comfort to someone in need. Let’s walk in the victory God has given to us through His Son Jesus Christ.
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O, death, where is your victory?
O, death, where is your sting?
…but thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
-1 Corinthians 15:55 & 57
